Recycling grants may be available

December 28, 2012

A Randolph County official wants residents to get more involved in recycling, and his agency will soon be giving out grants for groups willing to help clean up the county.

Clark Martin, chairman of the Randolph County Solid Waste Authority, said he wants to see more education for people in the county regarding recycling and the laws governing mandatory trash collection service.

Martin said beginning Jan. 1, the SWA will be issuing grants to schools, groups and churches willing to help clean up.

"The grants range up to $5,000," Martin said. "The money may be used to carry away trash, for picks, shovels or other supplies."

There is a great need for groups to pitch in, Martin said.

"One of the concerns has been, since the closing of the Elkins landfill, what to do with the trash that we're seeing in and around the area," Martin said, noting that trash has recently been "located over hillsides, being burned around the river banks and not just within the Elkins area. We need to clean up the hills and hollers. One problem is that people go out in the cloak of darkness and illegally dump trash."

Martin said the Randolph County Commission has appointed Dave Teter as a litter control officer.

"Teter will be looking for those not obeying the laws by illegally dumping trash and those residents not signed up for trash collection," Martin said. "We also need to police the back roads where folks dump trash, especially the back roads in Mill Creek, Montrose, Whitmer and Glady."

Martin said the last e-recycling event was in October, and 20,377 pounds of electronics were collected throughout the county.

"We are trying to educate elementary school children and instill the good habits of recycling with these kids," Martin said. "Joe and Vonda Gumm have been speaking with school children about the pros of recycling."

For information about recycling or recycling grants, contact Martin at 304-614-7066.